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Video: Ryan Grant called up for British & Irish Lions

Ryan Grant, the 27-year-old Glasgow Warriors prop, who made his debut for Scotland one year and two days ago, has this afternoon been called up to the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Grant is to replace the injured Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins.

He will leave Durban later this afternoon and will thus miss Scotland’s Test match against Samoa at King’s Park tomorrow.

In an exclusive video interview with www.scottishrugby.org Grant said: “This time last year I got my first cap. Now I’m heading out to Australia to represent Scotland for the Lions.

“What can you say? It’s been so fast I’ve not really had time to process it.

“It’s the top of the game. To call myself a Lion is the greatest honour.”

Scotland head coach, Scott Johnson, said: “We are absolutely stoked for Ryan. To get another Scottish player, who we feel possesses the talent and resolve the play at the highest level – and playing for the Lions is the highest level – is great.

“People out there may be in for a pleasant surprise as to what a player he is.”

As a consequence of Grant’s call-up, Alasdair Dickinson, 29, who rejoined Edinburgh Rugby from Sale Sharks at the start of this month, will win his 25th cap tomorrow and make his first start for Scotland since the 2011 EMC Test against Italy.

Moray Low, the 28-year-old, 18-times-capped Glasgow Warriors prop, will now be on the bench for tomorrow’s game.

A decision on who will replace Ryan Grant on the Scotland tour will be finalised later today.